The presidential office remained silent on November 11 amid growing controversy over the prosecution's decision not to appeal a high-profile development corruption case linked to President Lee Jae-myung from his time as Seongnam mayor. The head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office offered to resign in protest, and 18 prosecutors urged acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok for an explanation. The main opposition People Power Party called for Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho's resignation and clarification on alleged presidential involvement.
The Seongnam development corruption case involves charges against President Lee Jae-myung for causing losses to Seongnam Development Corp. during his tenure as Seongnam mayor. Following his presidential election victory in June, the court indefinitely postponed his trial. In a separate trial on October 31, a district court sentenced former acting president Yoo Dong-gyu of Seongnam Development Corp. and major shareholder Kim Man-bae of Hwacheon Daeyu to eight-year prison terms each on charges including breach of duty. Three other suspects received sentences ranging from four to six years.
The prosecution plunged into internal turmoil after the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office offered to resign in protest before the appeal deadline last Friday, and 18 prosecutors issued a statement urging acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok to explain the rationale. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho denied President Lee's involvement on Monday, stating he issued no directive but conveyed his opinion to the Supreme Prosecutors Office to "make a careful decision after considering various circumstances."
The main opposition People Power Party called for Jung's resignation and demanded the presidential office clarify suspicions of its involvement. A senior presidential official told reporters, "The presidential office does not have a particular opinion." Presidential secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho refuted the allegations in an SBS YouTube interview, saying, "We had not planned anything in advance," and "There is no benefit for the president."
Woo added that prosecutors handling the case should reflect on the court's ruling, which imposed longer sentences than initially demanded—a rare outcome. "Those who investigated the case and were responsible for indictment should reflect," he said. "It should be seen as they failed in demanding appropriate sentences."
The case centers on corruption allegations surrounding a development project, including public entity losses and duty breaches by involved parties. The prosecution's decision not to appeal has fueled political controversy and raised concerns over judicial independence.